The CHERI Child Advocacy Award is awarded to a person who over a long period of time has exemplified outstanding commitment to the health, welfare and/or development of children. The purpose of the award is to recognise people who are committed to improving childrens' lives. Of special interest are people who have undertaken their work in the areas related to CHERI’s focus, that is, promoting children's health and well-being by improving the interface between health and education.

The Award is presented every two years. The successful nominee is presented with a permanent trophy at CHERI's annual conference, and is included in the CHERI Honor Roll of Child Advocates.

Nominations from professional and non-professional fields are currently being accepted for 2008. Closing date is 30th June, 2008.  Click here (pdf file) to obtain the criteria and other details on how to nominate a person for the Award.

CHERI Honour Roll of Child Advocates:

	(Left to right) Trish Groves and Margaret Cowper, Lapstone Preschool; Prof Max Coltheart, Academic Director and James Packer Chair of Educational Research, CHERI; Cynthia O'Neill, Lapstone Preschool, Dr Tony Penna, Chief Executive, The Children's Hospital at Westmead; and Dr Belinda Barton, Head of CHERI.

Ms Cynthia O'Neill, Special Education Teacher, Early Childhood Advisory Service, Lapstone Preschool.

Cynthia has advocated and supported children with special needs and their families for over 20 years.

Cynthia was nominated for the award by Margaret Cowper, on behalf of the Early Childhood Advisory Service, Lapstone Preschool, in recognition of her work with children with special needs and their families. Cynthia’s dedication, commitment and passion to children with special needs and their families, knowledge of early childhood education and interventions that she shares with parents and professionals, and her role in instigating the early childhood screening service at Lapstone Preschool were recognised with this award.  Evidence clearly shows how important and crucial early intervention is in setting the foundation for lifelong learning, behaviour and positive health outcomes.

She was also awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia this year, in recognition of her service to early childhood education, particularly through programs for preschool children with special needs and their families.

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	(right) Mr Geoff Ashton, Chairman, Leighton Holdings Limited, presented (left) Professor David Sillence and Dr Jennifer Ault with their Award, at CHERI's Hippocrates and Socrates IX Conference, October 2004

Professor David Sillence, Specialist in Clinical Genetics and Dr Jennifer Ault, Senior Staff Specialist, Rehabilitation Department, The Children's Hospital at Westmead

Professor David Sillence and Dr Jennifer Ault, are a husband and wife team who were jointly awarded the CHERI Child Advocacy Award. Professor David Sillence has cared for and managed children with genetic disorders for over 20 years, in particular, those with connective tissue disorders. He is considered the world authority on brittle bone disease, established a classification for brittle bone disease, has published extensively and has made an outstanding contribution to medical knowledge worldwide. He has improved the health and welfare of many children through direct clinical care, through teaching, establishing training programs, support groups and professional societies.

Dr Jenny Ault is a rehabilitation paediatrician who has been caring for children with connective tissue disorders for over 20 years. She is also involved in caring for children who have congenital and acquired amputations (limb deficiency clinic) or brain injury. Dr Ault is always available to provide support to these children and their families and in educating schools on the needs of these children. She has improved the quality of life for many children who have complex and chronic conditions.

Both Professor Sillence and Dr Ault are respected professionally and by families for their commitment to the health and well-being of children with chronic conditions. They have been strong advocates on behalf of children and families and have devoted many hours to provide a high level of care and support.

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	(left) Professor Jeff Bailey, former Director of CHERI, presented Christine Meredith with her Award, at CHERI's Hippocrates and Socrates VI Conference, March 2001

Christine Meredith, President Australian Dyspraxia Support Group & Resource Inc.

For many years, Christine has been involved in many community and parent organisations in her endeavour to not only to understand and help her own children’s needs, but also to help other families. She has two wonderful children, both of whom have ADHD and the eldest also has dyspraxia. Christine also has ADHD and dyslexia. Christine recognised a need to promote an awareness and understanding of the disorder – developmental dyspraxia and in 1998 she founded the Australian Dyspraxia Support Group, the first of its kind in Australia. She is the Group’s National President and Coordinator, was active in producing the first Australian video and organised the first conference on developmental dyspraxia, and was also responsible for the development of the Support Group’s website.

Christine has previously worked as a palliative care volunteer for people who wish to die in their own homes, was President of the Mt Druitt Learning Difficulties Support Group, has been a committee member of the LD Coalition, and secretary to the Bridges Disability Services, Windsor. Christine is a strong advocator for children and has worked in a voluntary capacity in the field of disabilities for the past 21 years.

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	(left) Professor Jeff Bailey, former Director of CHERI, presented Joy Toll with her Award, at CHERI's Hippocrates and Socrates VI Conference, March 1999.

Joy Toll, President Learning Difficulties Coalition of NSW Inc. and Coordinator ADDults with ADHD (NSW) Inc.

For almost 30 years, Joy has been a fierce advocate for children and adolescents and she has volunteered her time to various community organisations to help other parents and children who have learning disabilities and/or ADHD.

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	(right) Professor Jeff Bailey, former Director of CHERI, presented Dr John Yu (left) with his Award, at CHERI's Hippocrates and Socrates II Conference, June 1997.

Dr John Yu, former Chief Executive of The Children's Hospital at Westmead

Dr Yu was the Chief Executive of The Children’s Hospital at Westmead from 1978 to 1997. Prior to this, he was Head of Medicine of the Hospital. The high standards of paediatric care and research at the hospital would not have been possible without Dr Yu’s commitment to children and medicine. He also has a great interest in decorative art, and seized the opportunity to combine art and best medical care to provide a nurturing and gentle environment for children and their families by displaying artworks throughout the hospital. Dr Yu is a strong advocate for children at a community and government level. He is the inaugural Chair of the Specialist Advisory Committee of the NSW Commission for Children and Young People, Patron for the Australian Association for the Welfare of Child Health, and also Childsafe. He was named Australian of the Year in 1996 and has served on numerous medical and art associations. For his dedication and commitment to the health and welfare of children, Dr Yu was awarded the CHERI Child Advocacy Award.

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